Greece prioritizes accessibility over profit, traveling as a disabled person

The people of Greece prioritize safety and accessibility over profit, unlike the current situation in America.

My husband and I have been talking about this for many nights since returning from Greece this week. Accessibility is systemic in their country. It's built in; it's a way of life for the good of the Greek people.

I have a story to share.

In Greece like several European countries there are separate accessible restrooms. I went to a restaurant asked to use the restroom and the accessible restrooms was being used for storage.

The restaurant owner rushed over to me. I was scared.

"What had i done?

Oh my god I shouldn't have asked to use the bathroom. Erin how embarrassing.

The restaurant owner was EMBARRASSED.

He removed everything from the accessible restroom and apologized several times for the state of the accessible bathroom.

Mind you accessible bathrooms in Greece are HUGE. FULLY EQUIPPED WITH BARS AND HELP.

A picture of an accessible toilet with handle bars

For the first time in my life I was truly speechless.

This has never happened for me.

I didn't feel "like a burden," for asking for the accessible restroom.

I felt seen.

I felt understood.

I felt appreciated and truly loved.

This is just one of so many stories I have of my experience there.

I know it sounds "new agey," but ACCESSIBILITY was a beautiful FEELING of true community care.

I cried several times.

I have NEVER experienced such kindness and understanding towards my disability and my access needs.

Masking in Greece

Many people in Greece wore masks

I was surprised.

It's not demonized, it's not politicalized.

It's COMMUNITY CARE.

It's protecting a loved one from being sick for the holidays.

Not only did I feel safe to mask but there were so many people wearing masks 😷that I felt SAFE being outdoors without one.

It's the true goal of masking and community care

Our Greece tour guide discussed Covid-19 and the pandemic as "past tense."

In Greece, Covid-19 is over and having spent over 2 weeks there. I truly believe for Greece it is over because they took the right precautions during the pandemic.

Erin Founder of Claiming Disability wearing a pink galaxy kn95 with her husband at the Acropolis Museum

They put their people's SAFETY over PROFIT

A picture of a fish, mushroom and tomato not covered in gluten

[Image Description: Multiple pictures of Erin Founder of Claiming Disability enjoying Greece in her electric wheelchair on the beach]